Event Logbooks

[+DavidMac]

I haven't see this topic discussed before, but it's something I've been wondering about. I've been to a variety of events across the US, ranging from simple eat-and-greets to well-organized mega contests. I've noticed that, usually, there is a logbook present for attendees to sign, especially at the larger events. I've also been to events were a logbook was completely absent. Either way, I usually don't think anything about it. If there's a log, I sign in, if not, I don't sweat it.

 

I've organized a few events, and had attendees approach me asking where the log is. Log? I didn't think about that... um... here, use this napkin . Is it a commonly accepted practice to expect attendees to sign the event log? Is this practice confined to the southeastern US... or mostly to larger events? Has anybody ever had an attended log deleted by an event owner because they didn't sign in?

[+StarBrand]

I have always thrown a notebook out for a log at events I have hosted.

 

Just seems right - we call it cache an you get a smilie for it - so shouldn't you have to sign the logbook after you find it?

[+Thrak]

There's generally a log at local events where I live.

[+whistler & co.]

We have signed a logbook or logsheet at every CITO and event we have been to. Just a simple piece of paper displayed on the wall or table with a couple of pens nearby will do. For some events (Flashmob) you MUST sign in to get credit.

 

(edited for stoopid spelling)

Edited March 26, 2008 by whistler & co.

[+Miragee]

In this area, there has always been a logbook, or sheet of paper, to sign at the Events and CITOs I have attended. I doubt if any Event organizer would ever delete an "Attended" log if a person didn't sign the logbook, but maybe they would if they knew the person absolutely wasn't at the Event or CITO and they logged an "Attended."

[+briansnat]

I'm starting to see more of it around here. At one time they were unheard of. The last event I ran I had a few people asking me where the logbook was.

[+Driver Carries Cache]

Never been to an event that "didn't" have a log to sign.

 

DCC

[+Isonzo Karst]

Mostly yes, there's a log, sometimes no.

[+El Diablo]

The best event log book I ever saw was at GW5. Now this is a true log book!.

 

 

El Diablo

[+StaticTank]

There are always log books at events in this part of the country!

[+Sioneva]

There are always log books at events in this part of the country!

 

2 hours south of you on I-29 and the only logbooks at events that I've seen are at Flashmobs.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

Never been to an event that "didn't" have a log to sign.

 

DCC

Same here. Thirty-something events in, I think, 7 states and they've all had a logbook.

 

I still have the log for the dozen or so events I have hosted.

 

No, I have never compared the log to my recollection of who was there.

 

No, even if I knew someone logged it that wasn't there I wouldn't delete it... just as I didn't delete the log on one of my caches that I know the armchair logger didn't go to.

 

Life's too short and there's many more interesting things to do than babysit geocachers!

[+Confucius' Cat]

Always a log book in events I've attended.

 

I have never heard of an "attended" log being deleted, but I guess it would be fair if the online logger had not signed the book.

[+Snoogans]

I have hosted 23 official smiley events and quite a few "No Smiley, Just Smiles" events. Every single official event I've hosted since 2003 is in my log book. I haven't used it for much for the No Smiley events.

 

So many people have handled it that the cover has become detached and is falling apart, (gives it character) but the pages themselves are in fine condition. Quite a bit of geocaching history is in that log book. Folks like JoGPS, CCCooper, Team Alamo, Paint Fiction, Mtn-Man, and Doc Dean, to name a few have signed it. One of my hosted events had nearly 400 people in attendance from most of the 50 states and about 12 foriegn countries.

 

Sure I've been to a few events without one, but most have had a log book from my experience.

 

The best event log book I ever saw was at GW5. Now this is a true log book!.

 

 

El Diablo

 

Best log I ever signed.

[+TrailGators]

I never seen an event without a logbook either. The funny part is what happens to the logbooks after the event is over? I have no idea what happened to the one at the event I hosted...

Edited March 27, 2008 by TrailGators

[+Rockin Roddy]

Not overly common here...but I'll try to remember one for our Lazy Hayes Days II in

june.

[+knitter]

We've laid out a good quality t-shirt, left fabric markers for writing signatures, then at the end of the night either given the shirt to one of the volunteers in attendance or thrown all attendees' names in a hat and drew one for the new owner.

[Tahosa and Sons]

[CoyoteRed]

At the more formal events there seems to always be a log. At the little chat-n-chews there isn't.

 

I guess it all depends on the host.

[+softball29]

Personally, if I ever actually ran an event, I'd want a log just for myself -- to see who was there and have a collectors thing FROM the event. I wouldn't match it to see who signed online and off, but I'd want it to look back on.

[+DanOCan]

The vast majority of events I have been to have never had a logbook of any sort.

[+nittany dave]

Around here there usually is a log book but nobody seems to make a fuss about it. I've signed some and not others because I simply forgot. I've never heard of an online attended log being deleted for not signing the physical log.

The only 'log' from an event that I've hosted that I ever kept were the two logs pictured above. They are still in my garage while I try to think of an excuse to haul them somewhere!